“No offense, Rosie, but there aren’t any good women left. They all want material things you can give to them, not what your heart can offer.”
“John, that’s a big crock of bull.”
“Well, I met someone and all she did was take off with the first guy in a fancy car.” A piece of shit car.
“If you want that woman, go get her. That’s how you do it. Sitting around moping, not having any contact with her, isn’t going to get you anyplace. If you don’t tell her, she’ll never know how you feel. Women aren’t mind readers, John.” Rosie winked at Daniel, then walked outside towards the barn to take care of the horses. She heard the door open and close behind her.
“So just go get her? I’m not a caveman. Besides, I don't have any problems getting women.” Just not the woman I want. Daniel’s voice was rising just bringing the topic up. He had tried to be a gentleman, he hadn’t rushed her. And she turned around and did what she did. She deserved that display with Emily.
“I’ll tell you what. We did a lot out in the field yesterday and there isn’t anything pressing today. Go find her and tell this woman what you feel. Women need that.”
“If it goes like the last time I was at the bar, will you bail me out of jail?”
“Absolutely!” Rosie laughed, gave him a quick hug, and told him to get prettied up and head on over.
Daniel insisted on helping out until around noon. There was no way he was going to take time off with her out there killing herself. He finished the work for the day by going a lot faster, then got cleaned up and headed into town. Daniel found that the small barbershop was open, so he stopped in for a quick cut and shave. He wanted to at least look presentable when he saw her, but he was afraid to step inside the bar. If that little bastard is there…
His excitement grew when he had full view of the parking lot. He saw Katherine’s little Chevy in the back, and there was no sign of the Corvette. Walking inside of the dim bar, he could see only one other patron, a young man eating a sandwich. He didn’t see Katherine and didn’t want to seem like that was his reason for coming there. He ordered a corn beef on rye and had a beer to help his anxiety from boiling over. He decided to go approach the owner, who was standing at the register inspecting the tape.
“Excuse me,” said Daniel. This was Katherine’s uncle, so he would be able to call her upstairs and ask her to come down. He was kicking himself for tearing up her phone number. There was no way that Daniel was going to risk getting a door slammed in his face from going to her apartment.
“What can I get for ya?”
Daniel reached out his hand and introduced himself. “My name’s John Williams. I’ve been in here a few times but I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Name’s Andy.” Andy smiled and shook the young man’s hand. “You must be new around here. I know pretty much everyone who lives in these parts.” He laughed like a good Irish man. He didn’t want to embarrass the poor man by pointing out that he saw him get one punched and was out for the count. It didn’t stop him from laughing to himself.
“I moved here not that long ago. I’m trying to find Katherine. Is she working today?” Daniel’s heart was beating faster.
“Nope. Not today, not tomorrow, or anytime in the near future is my guess.” Andy shook his head with disappointment.
“Why not? Is she okay?”
“She told me that she had to leave Prairie. I can’t say I much blame her. There isn’t anything here for a young woman other than trouble.”
“Where did she go?” Daniel was almost in a full-blown panic.
“I’m not sure. She took off one night and called me the next morning. It really saddened me. I have plenty of staff to cover, but I’m going to miss that kid. We’re family.”
“Andy, did she go by herself?”
“No, thank God. I’d be scared half to death if she did.”
“Did she leave town with a guy who drives a black Corvette?”
“She sure did. I hope he takes care of her, but I don’t put much hope in that. He’s too footloose and fancy free, but I gotta love that kid too. He don’t have much upstairs, but he’s still my nephew.”
“Your nephew? As in Katherine’s cousin??”
“Yep, his name’s Jacob. His mouth gets him into trouble now and then. Seen him with a pretty cut up and swollen mouth here some months back. That boy is always fighting. I hate to be rude but I have a delivery coming and I gotta clear out some space in the back. Nice meeting you, John.”
Oh my God! That was her cousin? I accused her of such horrible things, and she was with her cousin?! That crap I pulled with Emily? Oh…my…God.
Daniel hopped in his pickup and drove as fast as he could down to the farm. He went to his room and shut the door. He thought his heart was going to beat right out of his chest. When he felt like his stomach was no longer sitting in his throat and he could breathe better, he got out his phone and called his father.
“Daniel, it’s good to hear your voice. How are you?”
“Father, I need to come home.”
“Are you missing your luxuries? Your penthouse and car are fine, Daniel. I checked on them just this morning.”
“NO! It has nothing to do with the penthouse and the damn cars!”
Francesco was speechless. He had never heard his son raise his voice to him.
“I’m sorry, Father. You can find me a farm in New York, I don’t care. But I need to be near some resources.”
“Daniel, what’s going on?”
“Dad, I need to find someone.”
Francesco could hear the pain in his son’s voice. “Daniel, are you in some kind of trouble? How much money do you need this time?” Francesco was feeling nothing but disappointment. “You still haven’t learned anything, have you?”
“Do we have to do this right now?” Daniel’s voice was beginning to rise again.
“Yes, Daniel. Answer my question.”
“I learned that money can’t buy happiness. What I thought was happiness was fake! I don’t want a new woman every night, Father. I want one woman, and she’s gone! I have to find her!”
“You’re in love with this woman or did you give her a child?”
“Please, don’t ask me that.”
“Are you in love with her, Daniel?” Francesco bowed his head, praying that it could finally be true.